This is my speech on the health benefits of chocolate! Keep in mind, this is a draft and it still needs to some revising!
What’s delicious,
rich, and creamy, derived from cacao beans, and is utter perfection? The answer
is simple, it’s chocolate. Chocolate, we all know what it is, we've all tasted
its sweet and creamy flavour before, but here’s a twist. Did you know that chocolate
is in fact considered a super food?! Good afternoon Ms. Lees and fellow
classmates. Yes, you heard right, I did indeed say that chocolate is a super
food, no it does not give you superpowers but it does have amazing health
benefits that aid you in staying in tip top shape.
Is it possible you
say? This sweet, sugary treat full of calories is good for you?! Yes, recent
scientific studies have proven it to be packed full of good stuff..The secret
behind chocolate being a super food is the one and only cacao bean. That little
bean is a disease-killer, the only problem is on its own it tastes nasty, and
bitter, and chalky. Bleh.
Now enter milk,
butter and a ton of sugar and it’s suddenly more pleasurable to taste, but it
dilutes the superpower of the cacao bean. The more ingredients you add to the chocolate the less power the cacao bean has,which is why dark chocolate is a
popular choice because of its high content of the bean compared to its lighter colored brother.
Study after studies prove that dark chocolate – rich, sweet, and delicious is good for more than curing a broken heart. A long term study in Germany this year found out that eating about a square of dark chocolate a day lowered blood pressure, and reduced the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 39 percent! Most of the credit goes to something called flavonoids. Flavonoids are an antioxidant compound that increases the flexibility of veins and arteries.
Study after studies prove that dark chocolate – rich, sweet, and delicious is good for more than curing a broken heart. A long term study in Germany this year found out that eating about a square of dark chocolate a day lowered blood pressure, and reduced the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 39 percent! Most of the credit goes to something called flavonoids. Flavonoids are an antioxidant compound that increases the flexibility of veins and arteries.
As if improving
cardiovascular health wasn't enough, dark chocolate can also aid in weight
loss. Ironic isn't it? Something that you think would help you gain pounds
actually makes you lose them. Researchers from Copenhagen discovered that dark
chocolate is far more filling that any other type of chocolate. It lessens your
cravings for sweet, salty, fatty foods helping to avoid unnecessary snacking. So
ladies, don’t be scared to indulge in a little bit of dark chocolate even if
you are trying to lose weight.
Increasing heart
health, aids in weight loss, I mean what else can it do? Ah yes, for all you
people out there that don’t feel smart or want to boost your intelligence, have
I got good news for you. A University of Nottingham researcher found that
drinking cocoa rich in flavanols boosts blood flow to key parts of the brain
for 2 to 3 hours, which could improve performance and alertness in the short
term. Other researchers from Oxford University and Norway looked at chocolate's
long-term effects on the brain by studying the diets of more than 2,000 people
over age 70. They found that those who consumed flavanol-rich chocolate scored
significantly higher on cognitive tests than compared to those who didn’t. Yup,
it’s that simple, eat some chocolate and you could boost your intelligence.
Chocolate isn't only good for physical health, it also aids
in mental health. Have you ever eaten some chocolate before and just felt
happy? Chocolate contains many chemicals that can affect our moods.These natural chemicals raise serotonin
and endorphins levels. Which are the natural hormones that make us feel good or
have a calming effect on the brain, because of this chocolate is used as a natural defense against depression. When stressed it is proven that many people
dig in to their chocolate stash more than they usually would, and this is
because chocolate contains anandamide, also known as the “bliss chemical” It
works towards binding some specific receptors inside the brain to promote
relaxation. Next time you’re stressed grab a bit of chocolate, trust me it’ll
do wonders.
With its ability to help you physically and mentally combined
with its sweet taste, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the world’s most
enjoyable foods. As Charles M Shulz once said “They say all you need is love,
but a little chocolate now and then wouldn't hurt. “
I like the way that you used actural real life research to try to convince others. But it would be far more convincing if you said when the research and test had taken place. Because the more recent the research, the better chances of reliability it proves. I like how you ask the audience questions to get them involved with you and your passion. Just remember to give them a chance to think about it and answer it in their heads before going on with the rest of the presentation.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI would like to first off state that I adored your intro. The descriptive words you used in the beginning were captivating and will really grab the audiences attention! When presenting your speech remember to put as much animation as you can into the way you present it (not overlaod but a descent amount). The way it is written allows for lot's of interaction and opinion so keep that in mind. Your speech was not only filled with interesting facts but was also written in a way that made the audience able to connect with. I truly enjoyed reading it.